Bussing block

ABSTRACT

Individual terminal stations receive electrical terminals with bussing bars bridging selected terminal stations, the bars having fingers extending to the selected stations.

[ Nov. 6, 1973 United States Patent 1 Murray et a1.

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July 1,

Appl. No.: 158,879

552,518 4/1943 Great Britain...........l...... 339/198 N 1,280,379 11/1961 France........ 339/198 N 22 Filed:

Primary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Terrell P. Lewis with bussing bars bridging selected terminal stations,

the bars having fingers extending to the selected stations.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,001,171 9/1961 Schultz 339/19 X 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BUSSING BLOCK This invention pretains to bussing blocks; and more particularly to bussing blocks which can be readily integrated with a terminal block for a timing mechanism.

Timing mechanisms are used to control the operation of appliances such as dryers, dishwashers, and washing machines by opening and closing electrical switches in response to the rotation of cam means. Usually the electricalswitches, which are opened and closed, are comprised of moveable and fixed contact bladesthe ends of which are integral with or serve as electrical terminals. The electrical terminals are carried by terminal blocks in some sort of spaced relationship. Depending upon the desired operational sequences, the electrical terminals are sometimes electrically connected in accordance with a predetermined pattern by some sort of bussing means. These bussing means, which are normally thin strips of electrically conductive material, are usually carried by bussing blocks.

It is highly desireable that such bussing blocks be a unit in of itself which may be easily connected and disconnected from the timing mechanism or terminal block such that a programmed sequence can be readily changed. Also if there are many bussing means to be used it is essential that the bussing means be electrically insulated from each other. Moreover, means should be provided to readily allow the bussing means to be positioned according to a desired pattern.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a bussing block which is neat and compact and which is readily integratable with a switching mechanism such as a timer.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bussing block that is molded as a one piece unit.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bussing block having individual stations each receiving electrical terminals.

Another object .of the invention is the provision of a bussing block which is readily integrabable with a terminal block. l

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a bussing block having individual terminal stations electrically insulated from each other and bussin means bridging selected stations.

Still another object of the invention'is the provision of a bussing block having individual terminal stations and a bussing means including a bar bridging selected stations and fingers extending from the bars to the stations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bussing block having individual terminal stations formed by intersecting channels, the channels carrying bussing means bridging the stations. Yet still another object of the invention is the provision of a bussing block having individual stations comprised of a pair of islands, with means for receiving electrical terminals and bussing means.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompaning drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the cooperation of a bussing block with its bussing means and a terminal block;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of bussing means showing different embodiments thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bussing block; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5--S of FIG. 4.

Generally speaking the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in combination bussing blocks comprising a base member, terminal stations, islands, and an outer wall disposed in the base member, all three of which are separated by channels, and means in the terminal stations receiving electrical terminals; and electrical bussing means comprising electrically conducting bars carried by the channels bridging selected ones of the terminal stations and having electrically conductive fingers extending from the bar to the selected stations and engaging the electrical terminals.

Refering now to the drawings there is shown a bussing block 10. As will become apparent, bussing block 10 is adapted to cooperate and fit into terminal block 12. The bussing block fits into the opening 14 formed by the cover 16 of the terminal block. Terminal block 12 also includes a pair of spaced boards 18 and 20, board 18 carrying moveable electrical contact blades 22 and board 20 carrying fixed contact blades 24. Electrical terminals 26 are integral with the contact blades. A pair of guide lugs 28 and 30 are carried by cover 16 and are used to locate and retain the terminal block in a housing (not shown) of a timing mechanism. Such timing mechanism would include cam programming means to actuate the movable contact blades 22 to this open and close electrical circuits with the fixed contacts of contact blades 24 in a manner known in the art.

Bussing block 10 includes a base member 34 having formed therein a plurality of terminal stations 40 and islands 42, the stations and the islands being separated from each other by longitudinal channels 55 and transverse channels 56. The terminal stations include a pair of islands 44 and 44' each having a slot 32, and a aperture 46 provided in the base member 34. Electrical terminals extend through apertures 46 are held in alignment through engagement with slots'32. As will become apparent, channels 55 and 56 provide a'secure passageway for bussing means to bridge selected terminal stations in accordance with a desired pattern.

Base member 34 is fabricated from a suitable plastic such as glass reinforced nylon so that the terminal stations are electrically isolated from each other.

The bussing means 50 which cooperates with the bussing block 10 includes relatively thin strips or bars 52 and fingers 54 extending therefrom. Both the bars and the fingers are fabricated from an electrically conductive material such as copper. The bars 52 bridge selected ones of the terminal stations and are carried in channels 55 and 56. Once the bars are positioned in the channels, the islands may be heat staked 48 at least at their common comers to secure the bars in place. As shown, the individual fingers extend into a cavity 45 of selected individual terminal stations. Cavity 45 includes a space generally defined by islands 44 and 44', and electrical terminals 26, and a wall 42' of island 42 or an outer wall 57 of outer longitudinal channel 55. With particular reference to FIG. 5 it is seen that the ends of the fingers are bent over so as to be spring loaded. When not in contact with an electrical terminal, the finger would be in a relaxed position and when engaged with an electrical terminal the end'of the tinger will be biased against an electrical terminal 26, with bar 52 being biased against walls 42' or 57.

The bussing means 50 may be fabricated as a single unit as shown in FIG. 2 or it may be of multiple piece construction as shown in FIG. 3. When the multiple piece construction of FIG. 3 is used, the fingers 54' would be biased between the bar 52 and the electrical terminal 26, there being no other connection between the fingers and the bar.

As shown in FIG. 4 various electrical connections can be made between the terminals 26 by the bar 52 .bridging selected terminal stations and having fingers extend on into the stations and making electrical contacts with the electrical terminals 26.

Since the bussing block can be easily inserted into the terminal block 12 the electrical patterns obtained by the bussing means can be readily changed by taking out the bussing block and changing the pattern. The channels 55 and 56 in the bussing block provide an electri cal insulation between the bussing means. Furthermore the channels hold the bussing bars firmly in place and no other mechanical fastener is required.

The invention further contemplates the stacking of bussing blocks within terminal blocks. Thus by the present invention blocks may be stacked one on top of the other and held in alignment by the cooperation of cover 16 of the terminal block and electrical terminals 26. This of course greatly increases the number of patterns that may be achieved. In the case where there would be only two blocks, or where there is no terminal block with a cover 16, alignment ofthe two blocks could be insured by side walls 36 and 38 extending from base member 34.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a. a bussing block comprising a base member, terminal stations and islands disposed in said base member, and an outer wall surrounding said terminal stations and islands, each said terminal stations and said islands separated so as to be electrically isolated from each other by channels disposed in said base member, said terminal stations including a pair of spaced islands, and means receiving electrical terminals disposed in said terminal stations, and

b. electrical bussing means comprising an electrically conductive bar carried by said channels and staked in said channels at a common corneriof said islands so as to bridge selected ones of said terminal stations, and electrically conductive fingers extending from said bar to selected terminal stations and engaging said electrical terminals.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means receiving said electrical terminals includes opposed slots in each of said pair of islands, and an aperture in said base member between said islands.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said fingers extend into a cavity between said pair of islands and are biased against said electrical terminals.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bars and said fingers are constructed as a single unit.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bars and said fingers are seperate elements but are held in electrical engagement with each other when assembled in said bussing block.

6. The combination according to claim 1 further including a cooperating terminal block receiving said bussing block, said electrical terminals integrally connected to fixed and moveable contact blades, said terminal block carrying said blades.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said terminal block includes a pair of spaced boards one carrying said fixed contact blade, the other carrying said moveable contact blade.

8. The combination according to claim 6 wherein there are at least two of said bussing blocks received by said terminal block. 

1. In combination: a. a bussing block comprising a base member, terminal stations and islands disposed in said base member, and an outer wall surrounding said terminal stations and islands, each said terminal stations and said islands separated so as to be electrically isolated from each other by channels disposed in said base member, said terminal stations including a pair of spaced islands, and means receiving electrical terminals disposed in said terminal stations, and b. electrical bussing means comprising an electrically conductive bar carried by said channels and staked in said channels at a common corner of said islands so as to bridge selected ones of said terminal stations, and electrically conductive fingers extending from said bar to selected terminal stations and engaging said electrical terminals.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means receiving said electrical terminals includes opposed slots in each of said pair of islands, and an aperture in said base member between said islands.
 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said fingers extend into a cavity between said pair of islands and are biased against said electrical terminals.
 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bars and said fingers are constructed as a single unit.
 5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bars and said fingers are seperate elements but are held in electrical engagement with each other when assembled in said bussing block.
 6. The combination according to claim 1 further including a cooperating terminal block receiving said bussing block, said electrical terminals integrally connected to fixed and moveable contact blades, said terminal block carrying said blades.
 7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said terminal block includes a pair of spaced boards one carrying said fixed contact blade, the other carrying said moveable contact blade.
 8. The combination according to claim 6 wherein there are at least two of said bussing blocks received by said terminal block. 